Loveland Family Farm Navigates Dry, Windy Season

100-year-old Olander farm uses generational wisdom to weather drought conditions

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:23pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a small farmhouse or barn structure dwarfed by an expansive, arid field under a dramatic, backlit sky, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.As drought conditions continue to challenge Colorado's agricultural heartland, one family farm in Loveland perseveres with resilience and optimism.Loveland Today

The Olander family farm in Loveland, Colorado is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, but the family is facing challenges from the dry and windy conditions that have impacted much of the state. Todd Olander, the founder of Root Shoot Malting, is drawing on his family's generational wisdom to adapt farming techniques and mitigate the effects of the drought.

Why it matters

The Olander farm is one of many agricultural operations in Colorado struggling with the severe drought conditions. As more farms and businesses either move away or stop farming altogether, the Olanders' ability to adapt and continue their century-old family tradition highlights the resilience of Colorado's agricultural community.

The details

The Olander family has grown their business over the decades, providing malt for major breweries like Coors and Budweiser, as well as local Front Range breweries and distilleries. To weather the current dry and windy conditions, the family has turned to planting more small grains, which require less water than crops like corn. Todd Olander says they've been taking steps over the past eight years to prepare for drought and water scarcity, changing their farming techniques to ensure they can still produce a crop.

  • The Olander family farm in Loveland is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
  • The current drought conditions are the worst that Todd Olander and his father have experienced.

The players

Todd Olander

The founder of Root Shoot Malting, a business that provides malt to breweries and distilleries across the Front Range.

Olander Family

A five-generation farming family in Loveland, Colorado that has operated their agricultural business for the past 100 years.

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What they’re saying

“We've been in a drought for quite a few years now, but this is definitely the worst that I've experienced, probably the worst my dad has experienced.”

— Todd Olander, Founder, Root Shoot Malting

“Things can turn around, so you just have to keep a positive attitude. I don't think my dad has not had any water throughout his entire lifetime, so you just have to keep a positive attitude that things will turn around. Until that day comes when it's a really big problem, you have to have a positive attitude.”

— Todd Olander, Founder, Root Shoot Malting

What’s next

The Olander family will continue monitoring the weather and water conditions in the coming weeks, hoping for much-needed precipitation to help their crops and business.

The takeaway

The Olander family's ability to adapt their farming practices and maintain a positive outlook in the face of severe drought conditions exemplifies the resilience and generational wisdom of Colorado's agricultural community, even as more farms struggle to survive.